Display easel



Jan 6, 1931..

A. R. WLECKE ET AL Filed Dec. 17, 19223 ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 6, 1931 rs PATENT oFFICE nLnRIoH R. 'wLnoKE AND WILLIAM J. eonrn, or LAKEWOOD, AND rnnnnrox r. LANG-E, or CLEVELAND, onro, ASSIGNORS ,To THE RELIANCE LI'rnoGRAr oom- IPANY, or CLEVELAND, oIIIo, A CORPORATION on OHIO v DISPLAY nAsn Application filed December 17, 1928. Serial No. 326,518.

This invention relates to means of easel type for displaying large sheets ofadvertising and the like. The type of display sheet to which reference is had comprises a rectangular flexible sheet ofpaper, cloth or the like, bearing on one face the matter to be displayed, the sheet being secured at opposite 7 sheet may be rolled for shipment.

- for display;

The object of our invention is, therefore, to provide easel means. of the class described which shall be of the simplest and cheapest construction and yet capable of functioning for the purpose set forth.

The exact nature of our invention together with further objects and advantages thereof will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view from the rear quarter of apparatus in which an embodiment of our invention is incorporated, the apparatus being shown set up Fig. 2 is. a detail perspective view showing a portion of the display sheet removed from the easel portion of the apparatus; and Figs. 3 and 4: are views of the principal parts of our easel, Fig. 3 showing the arts included therein, in collapsed relation.

With reference now to the drawings, 1 is a sheet of paper, cloth or the like hearing on its reverse side not shown, the advertising matter or the like which is to be displayed. The sheet shown is rectangular and is secured at either end to stiffening members such as the rigid strips 2, 2a extending along the corresponding edges of the sheet. Thus the sheet may, by means of its end members 2, 2a, be stretched taut into a plane as shown Fig. 1

or may be limp between the end members as indicated Fig. 2." Obviously in the latter condition the sheet may be rolled to compact form as about one of the end members- According to our invention we provide means in the nature of aneasel, for supporting the sheet .1 in a substantially vertical plane as in Fig l and for exerting tension between the members 2and 2a for the pur-.

To this end we provide a post 3 comprising conveniently a base member having portions. 3a and 3b with an insert member removably securable therewith; *The post is preferably of the knock-down form described in. order that the longitudinal dimension of either partthereof be less than that of; the strips 2.. In the example shown the base member. of the. post is provided in its upper extremity with a socket 5 surrounded by a ferrulefi, the socket being adapted to receive the end of the insert 30. I

The member 2 isprovided with a socket 7 adapted to receive the opposite end of the insert 30 tobe'supportedthereby. Havingat one; end pivotalzc'onnection with the post as by the headed pin. 8, is a supporting leg 9 whose free end may he stepped down as at 10 to seat and be supported in a socket in the member 2a similarto the socket 7 of the member 2., Arranged between the leg 9 andthe lower] portion 3a of the post 3, which. thus forms the other of a pair of legs, is a member so. I

11 adapted tocontrolthe stretch or opening between the legs. Asshown the member 111 hasresilientqualities obtained by the simple expedient of employing a rubber band for the pur ose. r

us as shown, Fig. 1, by arranging the parts as indicated and increasing the angularity between the leg 9 and the portions 3?) and 3c of the post'above the pin 8, the

sheet l is stretched to taut condition, and by lowering the memb'enll to prevent in creasing the angle between the portion 3a. of

the post and heleg 9, such taut condition 1 ofthe sheet l is maintained.

The insert 30 is preferably like, and hence-of some resilience, sothat the same may be flexed when-the sheetv 1 is of wood orof the tension between the legs assisting the stretched indicated 1, whereby a tension isexerted between the members. 2 and 2a.. Under such conditions it is not essential that the member 11 be of resilient ma terial since, for example, non-resilientconneeting means would simply follow bygravity or could beforced downwards over thei diverging legs of the supportmg members until wedgedfthereupon. I Thus a strip of fabric would serve nicely because of its frictional properties, maintaining its tightened position upon the legs. However, where the member 11 1S resilient such as 1n the "case of the rubber band the additional advantage tension in the member 3c is had.

The relative length of the post portion 3a, below'the pin 8,-is such that the lower extremity of'the. post will rest upon a floor or horizontal surfare to maintain the taut sheet l, upright and sloping slightly back-.

wards from the vertical position. The apparatus as set up" and as shown Flg. 1 has thus effectively a triangularxbase formed by thestrip 2a and the lower extremity of the post, whereby the parts will be in stable equilibrium. r

The parts may be disassembled as follows: The member 11 being slid upward, the. legs 3a and 9 of the easel may be spread to relieve tension upon the strip 1, the strip members 2 released from the easel, the leg 9 swung to parallel relation with the leg 3a, the insert .30 removed from its socket. -These members may then beplaced together and secured by the tension member 11, and the limp sheet .1 rolled thereabout to form a compact bundle adapted to be nicely received in a mailing tube or the like or'themember 11 may be applied to secure thecomplete rolled bundle.-

Obviously the reassemblymay be accomplis'hed by performing corresponding operations in the reverse order. I

What we claim is; r

' 1. In combination with a poster compris ing a limp sheet extending between top and bottom end stiffening members, easel means for supporting said poster and comprising" a post member having its upper end associated with the top poster end member and its other end adapted to rest upon a supporting surface, a leg member'ha-ving one end pivotally connected with said post member intermediate the ends of the latter and its other end associated with the bottom posterf end member, and endless means arranged about the jeasel parts below the pivot connection therebetween, to limit the angularity between said parts and thus tension the poster sheet between its end members. 7

2-. In combination with a poster comprising a limp sheet extending between top and bottom end stiffening members, easel means for supporting said poster and comprising apost'member having its upper end associated with the top poster end member and its other end adapted to rest upon. a supportlng surface, a leg member havlng one parts, to limit the angularity between said parts and thus tension the poster sheet between. its end members.

3;In combination with a poster comprising a limp sheetextending between top and bottom end stiffening members, easel means for supporting said poster'and comprising a post member having its upper end associated with the topposter end member and its other iend adapted to rest upon a supporting surface, a legmember havingone end pivotally connected with said postmember intermediate the ends of the latter and its other end associated with the bottom poster end member, and endless elastic means arranged about the easel parts below the pivot.

connection therebetween, to limit the angularityfbetween. said parts and thus tension the poster sheet between its end members.

In testimony whereof we'he'reby afiix our signatures.

' ALDRICH R. WLEGKE.

WILLIAM J..1 GORIE- FREDRICK F. LANGE. 

